Why Speed Doesn't Matter

In the world of professional football, speed is often king. 

But what if there was more to the game than just raw speed?

What if agility, the ability to change direction quickly and efficiently, was the true key to success?

This week on the Cheeky Mid Weeky podcast, we sat down with Tony Villani, a renowned strength and conditioning coach who has trained some of the fastest players in NFL history. 

Tony shared some surprising insights about the importance of agility and how it can actually be more valuable than pure speed.

"Speed is like a gun, you should never actually have to use it. It's a last resort."

This analogy might seem counterintuitive, but it highlights a crucial point: in football, players rarely run in a straight line at top speed. The game is a constant dance of quick cuts, sudden stops, and explosive changes in direction. That's where agility comes in.

Tony's journey to understanding the importance of agility started with his work with NFL athletes like Anquan Boldin and Darrelle Revis. He noticed that even the fastest players sometimes struggled to succeed in the league. Through conversations and observations, he learned that controlling movement and mastering change of direction were critical.

"It's not about speed," Tony recalls Anquan Boldin telling him. "It's about control and movement in and out of breaks."

This realization led Tony to develop a training system that prioritizes agility alongside speed. He emphasizes the importance of "game speed," which is not about running at maximum velocity, but rather about moving efficiently and effectively within the context of the game.
"We want to be lions" Tony says, referring to the idea that football players should focus on quick bursts of acceleration and strategic movement, rather than simply trying to outrun their opponents in a straight line.

Tony's approach has proven successful with numerous NFL players, and it's a valuable lesson for athletes at all levels. While speed is undoubtedly an asset, it's agility that allows players to truly maximize their potential on the field. So, the next time you're training, remember that it's not just about how fast you can run in a straight line, but how well you can move and change direction. That's where the real game is won.